Postgraduate Semester in Graphic Design

For designers who want to explore new forms, gain creative insights, and expand their design practice, the Postgraduate Semester in Graphic Design is an opportunity to take their current practice in a new direction.

Participants in this individualized program will develop a substantial research project and/or body of design work. The semester begins with a content-packed residency and culminates in a public presentation and critical discussion of the work at a second residency.

Postgraduate residencies coincide with MFA in Graphic Design residencies, so participants can join the exciting dialogues with faculty, visiting lecturers, guests, and MFA candidates.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants must hold a master’s degree in Graphic Design or a related field and should submit the following:

  • Project Description – Because the postgraduate semester is project oriented, applicants must provide a basic description of their proposed project (maximum 500 words). Be as specific as possible, identifying a basic thesis, some conceptual ideas, influences, objectives, and materials you envision for the project. Briefly describe how this project relates to and/or differs from the work you produced during graduate studies.
  • Personal Bio – In 500 words or less, describe your current work in design since earning your graduate degree. Discuss the development of your studio practice, your intellectual development, and the social, historical, and/or cultural context of your practice. Explain how the postgraduate semester will enhance, encourage, and support your development as a designer/scholar working in expanded practice. Be sure to address why you are applying for a postgraduate semester now, explaining why this time is appropriate for you personally as well as for the development of your practice.
  • Official degree transcripts and two letters of recommendation (waived for alumnx of VCFA MFA in Graphic Design program)
  • Resumé
  • If proposing a visual project, please provide documentation of 10 recent images that you feel support your project proposal. Please also provide the following information: an image list, headed with your name, and including in chronological order each image with its dimensions, medium, title, and date of creation. For time-based media work, include total running time and length of excerpt (not to exceed 10 minutes).
  • If proposing a research-based project, please provide a writing sample (maximum 1000 words).

Please direct all application materials to [email protected].

Tuition & Fees

Tuition (6 months): $8118
Residency Fee: $952
Housing & Meals (double-occupancy room): $1,050

Application

Post-grad semester applications will open in mid-September.

Deadline

October 1, 2024 for a January start.
April 1, 2025 for a summer start.

Contact

Admissions

[email protected]